What's New

Since RI doesn't have a state screening, RI interpreters-to-be have some choices to make on how to become a licensed interpreter. One could be state screened, maybe in Mass. I took the state screening in Illinois and thought it was time to take it to the next level. I sat for the performance portion of the NIC in early February. Like many other interpreters who are new to the field, everyday I wake up and think, "Today's the day I'll get my results, I'll be nationally certified!" But it's not the day. I feel like an adolecent anticipating the first day of Summer. The only difference is that my Summer doesn't have a definitive starting date. My Summer also isn't sent in an e-mail. Maybe Summer isn't the best comparision, but in any case, I'm excited to get my results. Legend has it that wait times for NIC results were up to a year. Legend also has it that wait times went down to less than a month. In the mean time, I cross my fingers everytime I get a new e-mail. It just makes me think about all of the other tests being processed at RID. Granted, not everyone passes the NIC. It is encouraging to think about all of the other interpreters who have degrees that are getting nationally certified right now. With every person that passes the test, the bar for our profession is raised just a little bit. I can wait a few more days or weeks as our profession grows. And yes, I'll worry that my work was sent to dozens of raters all around North America. For now, I'll blog.

Hayley J.

Editors note:A few days after writing my draft of this blog, I received my NIC results.